Crowded House backstage!

Crowded House concert - Los Angeles 2008

Mike and I bought tickets to see Crowded House. Mike happened to mention it to our friend Bill and he said he was friends with Mark Hart and could organize for backstage passes for us!

We went to the Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles. The area was pretty run down and frankly a little scary but the theatre was a wonderful historical building from the 1920's and the interior was beautiful.

You can see 360 degree pics of it here: http://www.laorpheum.com/gallery.html

We watched the show from the dress circle and had a great view of the band. The crowd was very rowdy, yelling, whistling and cheering but one Australian guy in particular (seated to our right) was extremely vocal and yelled out comments now and then. He commented on Nick Seymour's shoes and the band responded with their usual jest.

The audience members were throwing paper jets onto the stage in response to questions the band had and the band reading them out. It was an all round entertaining show!

After the show Mike and I donned our special neon wristbands and made our way to the backstage area. After a few minutes we were allowed through the door and we met up with Mark's wife Camille. She was happy we could make it and offered us some refreshments. The room started to fill with people, probably 30 or so, then the band came out!


First we introduced ourselves to Mark who was friendly. He mentioned that Bill was a good friend but never seemed interested what he did. We then met up with Nick Seymour and Mike mentioned he liked his shoes. Nick asked us who was that guy yelling out stuff and we replied we didn't know, but he was right near us and seemed pretty intoxicated. Then we passed by Matt Sherrod, the new drummer. He tried to convince Nick she was his sister even though she was blonde and he had an afro. I said to him they must be related since they look so alike. He seemed like a really cool guy. Finally we approached Neil Finn. Mike was hesitant because he wasn't sure what to say to him. He said he liked playing Crowded House songs and he liked playing in the C chord. Neil agreed and smiling, said there are other chords too you know. The meeting was brief because he said he had to go meet his family.

But there were 2 more people we had to meet...

The guys from Flight of the Conchords were there too!

They were standing next to the fruit. I approached them and offered them some Kiwi Fruit (they are from New Zealand if you don't know). Brett was taller than he looked on TV but that was because Jemaine is much taller. Mike and I spoke to Jemaine about working in the business and how un-glamourous it actually is. He didn't seem to be really enjoying his TV experience.

We talked about living in the USA and how it's hard to get good cheese here and that we always liked New Zealand cheese. He agreed and said he doesn't mind New York but doesn't like Los Angeles, but he did say the weather was good here and he'd like to spend more time outside. We were a bit surprised since nobody goes outside here, but he said he'd go play sports. He said he's thinking of going back to New Zealand next year. MIke wandered what he'd do in New Zealand and said "What about your concerts?" Jemaine said that he might continue on with them. He asked our names and I said he'd never remember mine so call me Loressa the undresser.